Airport Food

As some of you know, I can get picky when it comes to food. This is a serious handicap when I'm at airports, which is very often. While my kids can eat and drink ANYTHING, which means airports are food heavens for them (if you have pizza, nachos and burgers, what else do you need?), I'm less flexible. Yet even I found some spots where tasty food is served. I'd like to share them with you.

In WASHINGTON DC DULLES AIRPORT in the corridor between the international gates (D1-6) and the domestic gates (D7-18) there is a health food counter that has outstanding tuna sandwiches. The bread is a crunchy multi-grain offering, the tuna not too mayonnaise-y and dotted with freshly cut peppers, and the entire sandwich delicious and filling.

Dick also likes Pot Belly in Dulles (they also have branches in CHICAGO MIDWAY and other airports). They are OK but not fabulous. Try the "thin" roll (they remove the soft inside and toast the bread) with smoked turkey - perfectly edible, even if not delightful.

Au Bon Pain is one of my favorite chains. You can always count on their chicken noodle soup, dried tomato wrap, tomato basil soup and, the piece de resistance, the cinnamon bun (but only if it is fully covered with that crunchy sweet icing). You can find them in PHILADELPHIA, INDIANAPOLIS (their buns aren't frosted enough) and other east coast airports.

HOUSTON BUSH INTERNATIONAL has a great BBQ place on the E concourse food court before gate E-15. Their BBQ pork sandwich has a tangy yet not too spicy sauce, the cole slaw is very tasty and fresh, and the baked potato is a great receptacle for the BBQ sauce.

Some people swear by Wolfgang Puck eateries in CHICAGO O'HARE, DENVER and other airports. I'm less of a fan, but can abide by their butternut squash soup, including the sour cream garnish. I only recommend that you try it in the winter, since it sits around too long in the summer and turns into a solid mass.

SAN FRANCISCO has many good eateries. The international terminal has two good sushi places, and the domestic United terminal sports a food court is nothing to sneeze at. Pass Boudin's sourdough sandwich shop for the Japanese gyoza (fried dumplings) and anything from Firewood Grill.

Internationally, TOKYO'S NARITA AIRPORT has a great little Teppanyaki place when you walk from gate 31 to the 20's gates on your right. FRANKFURT has a great sausage place (how appropriate) in the center court upper level connecting its various terminals, and the cakes are edible as well.

Many international airports have great grocery stores inside. Those are my favorites, since you can get anything you want including fresh fruits right on site. I do shy away from most airport restaurants, though, since the food is at Z level and the price is at the A level.

At Heathrow you can find several British food establishments (yes, British food) where the Bangers and Mash (hot dogs and mashed potatoes in onion gravy) are tasty (although none holds a candle to Porter's, in London's Covent Garden area).

But my all-time airport food favorite can be found in any LONDON AIRPORT: the tuna sandwich at Pret a Manger is perfect: fresh, crunchy baguette (24/7), non-fishy tuna and thinly sliced cucumbers for even more crunch -- YUMMMMM!

Let me know if you found other gems in your travels. I will certainly put your recommendations to good use.